Off-grid site report
Lee County, IA
40.6311, -91.3084 · 535 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lee County, IA, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesLee County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyI could not confirm whether Lee County has an adopted countywide zoning ordinance or what it says about raw land use; land-use planning appears tied to the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC). Call the county or SEIRPC to check your parcel. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Lee County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; the only confirmed rule is the state-level Iowa Code Chapter 335 limit on extra county standards for HUD-code manufactured homes. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyLee County has an Applications & Permits office handling certain permits like wind/solar/battery siting, but no clear residential building permit/inspection page was found; confirm directly with the county. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Lee County Health Department's Environmental Services issues and inspects on-site wastewater/septic permits under Iowa DNR Chapter 69 rules, requiring a percolation test from a soil scientist or engineer. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo separate greywater rule was found; it's likely covered under the same wastewater permit process Environmental Services administers, but this isn't explicitly confirmed. Ask Environmental Services directly. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Lee County or Iowa DNR rule was found addressing residential rainwater catchment, so it's not confirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedLee County Health Department Environmental Services administers private well permits locally, working within Iowa DNR's statewide well program. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found prohibiting off-grid utility disconnection, but any occupied dwelling still needs septic and well permits from Environmental Health regardless of grid status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,387 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 40 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 17 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,588 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 9 to Oct 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison - 4.0 mi
- Fire station
Niota Fire Department - 1.4 mi
- Hardware store
Kempker's True Value Hardware - 1.3 mi
- Grocery
ALDI - 0.3 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 52627).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Lee County, IA?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.